Albania has transformed into an industrialized upper-middle-income economy, leveraging its strategic location and natural resources to develop diverse economic sectors. As a member of NATO, OSCE, WTO, and BSEC, the country continues implementing reforms to improve its business climate and attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). In this post, we will dive into which are the top industries in Albania and their success.
The Albanian economy demonstrated resilience with GDP growth of 3.3% in 2024 and projections of 3.4% for 2025 and the economy is projected to expand from 27.26 billion USD in 2024 to 33.35 billion USD by 2028. This growth is driven by key sectors including energy, mining, agriculture, metallurgy, tourism, textiles, and manufacturing.
Mining
Mining represents one of the most significant top industries in Albania, with the country possessing abundant natural resources. Albania holds the distinction of being the only European country with chromium reserves, making this sector particularly valuable for international investors.
The Albanian government has issued over 700 mining permits, demonstrating the sector’s active development and investment potential.
Energy Sector
The energy sector stands as a fundamental pillar among the top industries in Albania, with particular strength in hydroelectric power generation and petroleum production. Albania possesses the largest onshore oil reserves in Europe, and the second-largest in the Balkans, with petroleum exploration dating back to 1928.
The country’s largest onshore oil field, Patos-Marinza, represents one of the most significant petroleum assets in continental Europe. Albania operates two major refineries: the Fier refinery with a capacity of 0.5 million tons and the Ballsh refinery processing 1 million tons annually.
Hydroelectric power generation offers substantial growth potential, with the sector contributing significantly to the national energy matrix. The combination of petroleum resources and renewable hydroelectric capacity positions the energy sector as a critical component of Albania’s industrial base and economic development strategy.
Tourism
Tourism has emerged as one of the fastest-growing top industries in Albania, contributing 4.8% to GDP in 2013 with continuous expansion in subsequent years. The sector attracted approximately 4.2 million tourists in 2012, primarily from European Union countries and neighboring nations, with numbers increasing substantially in recent years.
Tourism activities span multiple segments: marine tourism along extensive coastlines, scuba diving in pristine waters, hiking and trekking through mountain trails, skiing in alpine regions, white-water rafting adventures, paragliding experiences, and emerging medical tourism services. The combination of natural beauty, historical significance, Mediterranean climate, and competitive pricing positions tourism among the most promising top industries in Albania for continued growth and investment.
Agriculture
Agriculture represents a traditional cornerstone among the top industries in Albania, accounting for 21,6% of the GDP. The sector produces wheat, corn, oats, potatoes, vegetables, olives, tobacco, fruits, sugar beets, vineyards, livestock, and dairy products across the country.
Agricultural exports experienced 21% growth in 2024, with the government establishing an ambitious target of 1 billion USD in agricultural exports by 2030. Agritourism is gaining momentum with international support, combining agricultural activities with tourism experiences. The sector’s development potential, combined with government reform initiatives, positions agriculture as an evolving component among the top industries in Albania.
Textile and Apparel
The textile and apparel sector represents one of the historically strong top industries in Albania, with significant domestic production capacity established prior to the 1990s. Today, Albanian manufacturers produce clothing and textile products for major brands in France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Germany, leveraging the country’s skilled workforce and competitive production costs.
Albanian textile companies are progressively expanding their service offerings to provide complete production cycles from raw materials to finished products, adding greater value and capturing larger margins within the supply chain. This vertical integration positions the sector for enhanced competitiveness in international markets.
The combination of qualified labor, competitive wage structures, and proximity to major European fashion markets establishes textiles and apparel as a sustainable component among the top industries in Albania. The sector continues attracting investment from international brands seeking reliable, cost-effective production partners with European quality standards.
Logistics and Transportation
Logistics and transportation infrastructure has emerged as a critical enabler among the top industries in Albania, with the country’s strategic geographic position establishing it as a gateway to Balkan markets. Albania’s location on the Adriatic Sea, with proximity to Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Greece, facilitates efficient access to interior Balkan markets and beyond.
The Port of Durrës serves as the cornerstone of Albania’s logistics capabilities, having undergone significant modernization to become a competitive regional hub. The port offers high container handling capacity with rapid turnaround times, enabling efficient maritime cargo operations. Modern transport corridors, including road and rail connections such as Corridor VIII, provide agile transportation links to neighboring countries, creating seamless multimodal logistics solutions.
Albania is increasingly recognized as a primary entry point to the Balkans, with ongoing infrastructure investments and growing local expertise strengthening supply chain capabilities. The combination of strategic location, modern infrastructure, and reliable local knowledge creates fast, secure, and resilient supply chains, positioning logistics as an increasingly important component among the top industries in Albania supporting trade and economic integration across the region.
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References:
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https://www.ngltr.com/en/countries/albania/
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